Italy solidarity protests watch, September 22

Published on Sep 20, 2025, 6:58 pm CDT

5 min read

Unions and grassroots groups have signaled nationwide mobilizations in solidarity with Gaza on Monday, September 22, 2025. Demonstrations and work stoppages are expected across major cities, with rally points in central areas and 24-hour actions called by base unions. Local public transport could see slowdowns or gaps outside guaranteed windows, and rail services face reduced frequencies. Travelers should pad transfer times to Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Milano Linate Airport (LIN), and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), and track service advisories throughout the day. Police may apply rolling traffic diversions near march routes.

Key Points

Why it matters: City marches and stoppages can delay airport transfers and time-sensitive rail links.
Travel impact: Reduced frequencies on Rome and Milan transit outside guaranteed windows, plus national rail slowdowns.
What's next: Organizers list more than 60 squares nationwide, with Rome Termini and Milan Cadorna among focal points.
Airports: No national ATC strike on September 22, but surface-access delays can ripple to FCO, LIN, and MXP.
Rail: Trenitalia and Trenord warn of cancellations outside legally protected time bands.

Snapshot

Monday's actions combine city-center rallies with a 24-hour general strike by base unions. In Rome, ATAC says service is guaranteed from the start of daytime service to 829 a.m., and from 500 p.m. to 759 p.m., with possible gaps at other hours. In Milan, ATM indicates lines may not be guaranteed from 845 a.m. to 300 p.m., and after 600 p.m. National rail operators advise travelers that trains can be canceled or retimed from 1200 a.m. to 1100 p.m., with guaranteed bands typically 600 a.m. to 900 a.m. and 600 p.m. to 900 p.m. Organizers highlight more than 60 local squares for rallies, including Rome Termini and a Milan march from Piazza Cadorna.

Background

This watch follows a week of escalating labor and civil actions tied to Gaza solidarity across Italy. On September 19, CGIL staged nationwide protests. On September 22, base unions including USB, CUB, ADL, and SGB have called a 24-hour general strike spanning public and private sectors. Maritime and logistics workers have been particularly active, with ports such as Ravenna drawing attention after authorities moved to restrict suspected arms-related transits. Airport operations are not the primary target on September 22, but Italy's essential-services rules still allow city transport and rail disruptions outside protected windows. Aeroporti di Roma has separately warned that Trenitalia service to and from Fiumicino may be reduced during rail strikes.

Latest Developments

Rome, Milan rally points and city-center impacts

Rome organizers call for a gathering at 1100 a.m. in Piazza dei Cinquecento, directly in front of Roma Termini. Expect intermittent closures of curbside lanes, march holds at crossings, and short-notice diversions around the station area and Via Cavour approaches. In Milan, USB Lombardia confirms a march starting 1000 a.m. at Piazza Cadorna, proceeding toward Stazione Centrale. Travelers should avoid cutting through Cadorna, Cairoli, and Duomo corridors near step-off, and keep ride-hail pick-ups on side streets. Taxi ranks at Termini and Centrale may see longer lines during peak rally windows, especially if buses are thinned. Build in extra time and keep navigation live for closures.

How operators are scheduling guaranteed service

ATAC in Rome lists guaranteed daytime service from start of service to 829 a.m., and from 500 p.m. to 759 p.m. Outside those periods, buses, trams, and Metro A, B, and C may be thinned or paused. ATM in Milan states service could be unavailable from 845 a.m. to 300 p.m., and after 600 p.m., with normal operations expected before 845 a.m. and between 300 p.m. and 600 p.m. For rail, Trenitalia and Trenord indicate a national strike from 1200 a.m. to 1100 p.m., with guaranteed trains concentrated in 600 a.m. to 900 a.m. and 600 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Malpensa Express and Fiumicino rail links may run reduced frequencies outside protected bands.

Analysis

For airport-bound travelers, the pinch point is surface access. Even modest march-related traffic controls near Roma Termini and Milano Centrale can snarl taxi and ride-hail flows, which cascades to peripheral arterials feeding FCO, LIN, and MXP. The rail strike overlay raises the risk of missed airport trains outside guaranteed windows, especially for early-afternoon departures when both city transit and regional rail are least protected. Business travelers should front-load transfers into guaranteed bands, then hold airside for meetings. Families and cruise connectors should prebook licensed car services with extra dwell time, confirm child-seat needs, and keep drivers' contact details handy. If your rail option is canceled, do not wait on the main concourse. Move to alternative ground options promptly, including coach services or verified car-share stands. For Rome, consider taxi from Termini's side streets if the main rank stalls, and account for Aurelian Wall bottlenecks on Via Appia Nuova and Via Cristoforo Colombo. In Milan, LIN is closer to the center, but curb congestion can spike quickly; MXP requires more buffer due to the longer motorway segment.

Final Thoughts

Operational plans will evolve through the weekend. Check operator feeds the evening of September 21, travel during guaranteed windows when possible, and allow generous buffers for city-center rallies. If you hold a non-refundable rail ticket, review strike-policy pages for rebooking or refund options before you queue. For airport transfers to Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, Milano Linate Airport, and Milan Malpensa Airport, aim to arrive earlier than usual, and maintain app-based navigation to route around march corridors. These steps materially reduce the risk of missed flights during the Italy solidarity protests.